Blackmail?

The room—Noah wasn't sure how to describe it.

Not that they were particularly dirty boys, but… wow.

It looked and smelled different.

Like Kelvin had actually cleaned up.

Noah stood there for a second, taking it in. Bed made. No random snack wrappers on the desk. His chair was even aligned with the table instead of being spun around backward like usual.

It was unsettling.

Kelvin cleaning up was about as rare as a Category 5 beast being spotted near a civilian city. Possible, but deeply unnatural.

Noah was tempted to ask if he was expecting someone over or if someone had already been here, but the look on Kelvin's face stopped him.

Glee.

Pure, unfiltered glee.

And then, before Noah even had the chance to open his mouth, Kelvin started talking.

"They picked me."

Noah blinked. "Picked you?"

Kelvin grinned wider, practically bouncing on the bed. "For crafts. In the interschool competition."